One Last Question: Amy Ortega, MD

Most in Brevard know Dr. Amy Ortega as the “Mommy Makeover Doctor” for achieving natural-looking results with breast augmentations, tummy tucks, and “Liponique” custom body contouring. But the board certified, double-fellowship trained plastic surgeon from Clevens Face and Body Specialists is also “mommy” to her beloved Chihuahuas, Blanca and El Guapo.

SCL: So tell us a little about your dogs and how they get along.Dr. Ortega: Blanca (pictured) is a four-year-old female Chihuahua. Her brother, El Guapo, is eight years old. He was scared of Blanca at first, but after a couple months they got to cuddling up together. She has a gentle way of picking on him, like pesky little sisters tend to do, and he tolerates everything she does, like a typical protective big brother!

SCL: Any reason why you chose this particular breed?Dr. Ortega: Some friends of ours had Chihuahuas, which we noticed were fairly low-maintenance and really well behaved if you invest the time to train them.

SCL: Do you ever dress your dogs up in little outfits or accessories?Dr. Ortega: Yes, of course! How can you resist? A friend of ours makes custom pup outfits, and next thing you know we received a beautiful pink dress for Blanca – embroidered with “Daddy’s Girl” on it! She is a showstopper in her dress.

SCL: Have you trained them to perform any tricks? Do they have any talents or funny/cute habits or traits?Dr. Ortega: Blanca is very well behaved overall, which is the best trick I can ask for. She loves people and is great anytime someone wants to pet her; she’s just full of love! She does think she’s bigger than she is though. She has been known to steal a toy and blanket from her brother, who is about three times her size!

SCL: You’re a busy plastic surgeon. What do your dogs do while you’re at work?Dr. Ortega: Fortunately, our pups do great on their own during the day. Mostly they just nap.

SCL: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?Dr. Ortega: I like to read, play the piano, and spend time with my husband and family.

SCL: What do you do to relax?Dr. Ortega: My husband and I like to go look at some water, play with our pups, and sneak over to Disney every now and then and be kids.

SCL: What would people be surprised to know about you?Dr. Ortega: I have always been most proud of the fact that I am the first person in my family to graduate from college, and I supported myself and paid for my own education with scholarships and numerous jobs. Sometimes I wonder if people may make assumptions about my upbringing or lifestyle because I’m a plastic surgeon. I’m actually a very practical person, and fairly minimalistic. Back in the day, when I was working the drive-through at McDonald’s, I thought it would be really handy to have a car. After that, I wanted a car with air conditioning and a radio! Interestingly, once I could afford nicer things, they didn’t hold nearly as much magic. I appreciate nice things, but mostly I appreciate that the best things in life aren’t things.

SCL: Anything else you’d like to share with SpaceCoast Living readers and online followers?Dr. Ortega: If you work hard, do the right thing, and be good to people, good things will come to you.